The Genesee Valley Equine Clinic 2010 Educator of the year could be described as Western New York’s very own “HORSE WHISPERER”. Dave Minteer has devoted his life to the education of both horses and riders in our community.
Dave started his career with horses at the age of 12, when he acquired his first horse, which just happened to be unbroken. Dave and the horse learned together, and soon he was taking every opportunity to ride. Attracted to the excitement of the rodeo arena, he spent several years as a bronc rider, and met his wife Laney at the Attica rodeo.
The young couple moved to our area in the early 1960s, and Dave enrolled in farrier school at Cornell in 1967. For the next 22 years he trimmed and shod horses, gaining a reputation as a skilled and respected farrier who had a particular knack for working with difficult horses.
Soon he started training horses on the side. To broaden his skills he attended clinics with the noted John Lyons. John’s methods of Natural Horsemanship were a perfect fit with Dave’s thoughtful, quiet manner. He was a devoted student, and he used what he learned as the foundation of his training business.
Our educator’s success with difficult horses is legendary. His nomination was supported by letters from horse people of all stripes: trail riders, horse show competitors, dressage people, eventers, western riders and people who drive horses. Each letter described Dave as “wise”, “humble”, “unassuming”, “quiet”, “calm”, “gentle”, and “composed”. These qualities, combined with the innate “horse sense” and incredible patience of a true natural horseman and communicator, are what make him such a good trainer. He succeeds where others fail, particularly with horses that have a fear of trailers, or a dangerous habit like bucking or balking.
Dave Minteer has taken great care all his life with educating BOTH horse and rider. It is obvious that he has changed the lives of many area horses and their people. The impact of his work can be summed up by an excerpt from one very special letter that was sent in support of his nomination from none other than John Lyons himself.
“I believe he has the same attributes that I have found in every great horse trainer. First, he always wants to learn more and strives to constantly learn from the horses he works with. Second, he keeps an open mind and always is willing to learn what others are willing to share. Dave sees the positive in others and offers kind words and little criticism of others, and applies those same qualities to the horses as well. He never puts horses as more important than people, nor people more important than his wife, Laney, who has stood by him and supported him for so many years. She believes in Dave and thinks he probably created the horse. That is a good thing because we all need a person like that in our lives. He has helped so many horse owners throughout the years, and I have been very fortunate to have him as a friend. I do not know anyone who is more deserving of this award. Congratulations to you for picking him, and congratulations to DAVE MINTEER on receiving this award.”
